Waldorf, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced the re-signing of right-handed pitcher, Mat Latos on Thursday afternoon.
Mat Latos was originally selected in the 11th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. In 2010, Latos’s second season in the MLB, he finished eighth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
In 2011 Latos was traded from the Padres to the Cincinnati Reds as the headliner in a blockbuster trade in exchange for Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, and Edinson Vólquez. In his first season as a Red, the 6-foot-6 right-hander went 14-4 while leading the MLB in games started, 33.
The Alexandria, Virginia native would go on to log more than 1,000 MLB innings across nine seasons. Latos owns a 3.64 career MLB ERA, a better career ERA than the likes of Kerry Wood, Josh Beckett, and Hall of Famer, Mike Mussina.
After nearly a decade as a starting pitcher, Latos transitioned to the bullpen with the Blue Crabs in 2019. It was a smooth transition for the righty, who put together one of the most dominant seasons in the recent Atlantic League history. In June and July, Latos strung together 18 appearances of near perfection, allowing zero runs, two hits, and one walk. Latos was a Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star in his first year in the Atlantic League.
“Having an elite closer shortens the game. We know that if we hand the ball to Mat Latos for the ninth inning that we’re going home with a win. You can’t ask for much more than that,” said Blue Crabs General Manager, Courtney Knichel.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs - The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Blue Crabs, set to kick off their 13th season of baseball, call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
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About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 950 players to MLB organizations while drawing 42 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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